FAQ
I have compiled a list of common questions to help with your website visit today. Please reach out to sciencewithcollins@gmail.com if you have additional questions.
Please watch the video for information on how the program works.
1) What type of programs do you offer?
I offer virtual self paced, group Zoom, tailored, and 1:1 Zoom classes.
Self Paced-this type of class is popular for families who prefer asynchronous learning. The student would log into Google Classroom at times set by the family or when convenient to work on assignments. See a sample Google Classroom here. In Google Classroom the student will find weekly assignments, labs, crafts, discussion questions, and assessments. The student will use the Google Classroom app or their computer to upload images of work, upload a video response, or post a comment response for assignments. By uploading to GC, the family automatically has a homeschool portfolio of work samples. The parent can also use the curriculum to teach the student from home, so the option for the student to work independently or for the parent to teach from the material are both options with self paced classes. Note: With self paced classes the student does not have deadlines for assignments, and will have access to the class for a full 12 months. Day one begins when the student submits the first assignment, and then the student has access for 365 days after. You will see that self paced classes are designated with an "SP" on the website.
Hybrid Zoom-hybrid Zoom classes offer the best of self paced and provides access to a science instructor. With hybrid classes the student will meet for a specific number of Zooms during the course. For example, General Science Hybrid meets every other week for a live Zoom. Students have a set time to join the Zoom for the lesson with me (and many times other students may join or you can request 1:1 Zooms). I will use the time to go over the lesson and work on specific lab steps. The rest of the week the student will work in Google Classroom on self paced assignments. All assignments are due before the next scheduled Zoom. Note: With hybrid Zoom classes the student will have deadlines to turn in assignments. You will see that hybrid Zoom classes are designated with an "HZ" on the website.
Tailored Classes-I love to work with families in need to provide special tailored classes that will meet your child's needs. For sensory processing disorder, I can remove labs that could be a trigger to sensory needs-slime, sticky labs, or smelly labs. I can provide alternative labs according to the student's needs. I also provide assignments that students can provide voice responses, if the student has handwriting needs. If the student excels with more visuals, then I can add in more diagrams and science modeling exercises. I am willing, as a teacher to help with those needs and tailor the experience because I feel led to meet family needs. You will see that tailored class options will be designated with a "TC" on the website. If you do not see a specific class you need, please reach out to request a course.
1:1 Classes-With a 1:1 class you will be scheduling specific times to meet with the instructor for lessons via Zoom.
2) What grade level does your program service?
K-12th grade
3) Are you an appoved provider for charter, private, and co-op programs?
I am currently an approved provider for 17 of the largest charter schools in the US. I am constantly applying to new programs, so if you would like me to apply to your program please send me the link.
4) What types of payments do you accept?
My website takes payments using Paypal, Stripe, Square, and most credit cards. I also accept ESA and Class Wallet funding options. Charter schools can also purchase through the school using purchase orders. In addition, I offer payment plans for self paced families by request. The total price can be split into two payments with the first payment made immediately, and the second payment in 30 days.
5) What platform does your program use?
All of my classes are housed in Google Classroom. Students will need a gmail to access the program. Once the class is purchased, I will manually add the student's gmail to the class, and provide a code via email. I also create Canvas courses for schools, by request.
6) What will the student need to access the course?
Students can access the course via the Google Classroom app, an ipad, tablet, or home computer. I recommend using a home computer to be able to see the screen assignments larger with ease. Wifi is needed to access Google Classroom, but students can log into the program when it is convenient or when wifi access is available. If you are looking to register two children, both children will need their own gmail to access the class. The work will be assigned by gmail for the instructor to see.
7) How do students upload work?
I am very flexible on the way students upload work. Students can respond using a voice response (or voice recording device), upload a video response, upload a pdf document, or an image. The most common method is for students to use the Google Classroom app.
8) How is grading handled?
Please check out the video response. I provide assessments using a program called Wayground Quizizz. Students will have a code to take the test when convenient. Students can also take tests and unlimited amount of times on a computer, laptop, tablet, or phone. At the beginning of the course, a test score chart will be provided. Students are encouraged to tape the chart in their spiral notebook to record test grades along the way. All of the work in Google Classroom is used for practice, with no daily grades. But the family is welcome to add daily grades if they prefer.
9) Will I need to purchase expensive science supplies?
My goal has always been to provide affordable science options. The following general supplies will be needed: spiral notebook (to add notes and diagrams), pencil, eraser, coloring pencils/crayons, clay or playdoh (for science modeling activities), construction paper, tape, and glue. I utilize Youtube and science company resources to post summary videos or images of items that maybe too expensive to purchase or would require an expensive microscope to view. My program is unique because I am a strong believer in hands-on learning so we do have a lot of labs for each class. Labs can be simple like making a craft, creating a foldable, researching a topic to create a poster or create a document, drawing a science sketch, and/or adding a diagram to the science spiral. Some labs will involve additional supplies for labs. Families can be creative and use what is found in the home at anytime. If supplies can not be bought, then the student can pick an alternative assignment or draw the lab steps instead.
10) Do you offer sibling and friend discounts?
I always love to have more family members or friends in a class together. For a family, the sibling discount is for the first child to be full price, and the next child would be half off. I love to help additional friends and cousins be together in classes. Please message me to let me know what self paced classes you are interested in completing together to receive a voucher code for a discount. Each child does need to upload their own work to Google Classroom, so please register each child separately.
11) Do you offer classes at a discount for charter, private, or co-op programs?
Yes, please visit a specific page for information on these programs. I have chosen my most popular classes to post at a reduced rate for outside organizations.
12) What type of parent involvement is needed?
Some parents use the course to teach the student at home, with all the lessons provided-it makes everything work seamlesslly for the parent. 80% of the families enrolled use the self paced courses for the students to work independently. If a student works independently then the student would be uploading work to GC,and the parent would need to log in as the student to view the work samples and to confirm the student is following pacing that works for the family. SWMC courses are not 100% hands-off but instead Mrs. Collins teams up with parents to provide a quality standard based course but some parent follow up is needed.
Click the below links for reviews/references: